First Principles: Natural Law
in History
July 29- August 11, 2012
Application Deadline: March 30, 2012
July 29- August 11, 2012
Application Deadline: March 30, 2012
First Principles: Natural Law in History is a two-week seminar under the
direction of Thomas D. D'Andrea (University of
Cambridge). The focus of the seminar this year is on
the relevance of history for the apprehension and interpretation of
natural law. The seminar is divided into four sections.
The first section is devoted to examining Aquinas's treatise the De Regno in the light of the questions on virtue and law in the Summa Theologiae and to a consideration of what is dated and what is perennial in the De Regno's theory of governance. The second section focuses on Eric Voegelin's proposals for how to think about the naturally obligatory and the-political-in-historical-context, as detailed particularly in his volume Modernity without Restraint. The third section considers Leo Strauss's Natural Right and History, one of the most prominent attempts to revive a concept of justice or right based in nature. It does this through a sustained assault on historicism, that is, the idea that moral norms and human nature can change over time or be revealed in greater depth to those living at a later stage in history. Right is to be found in nature, not in history. Yet Strauss was not turning to natural law, which he saw as a problematic offshoot of classic natural right. This seminar will read Natural Right and History with special attention to Strauss' criticisms of natural law in history. Finally, the fourth section will be an examination of the thought of Christopher Dawson, in particular his philosophy of history.
Faculty
Thomas D. D'Andrea, University of Cambridge
Steven Justice, University of California - Berkeley
Geoffrey Vaughan, Assumption College
Seminar Participants
This seminar is open to advanced undergraduate and graduate students with interests in natural law and in moral and political philosophy.
Application Requirements
Please submit the following forms and documents via email to Octavia Ratiu by March 30, 2012:
1. Completed application form
2. Curriculum vitae or resume
3. Cover letter expressing the reasons for your interest in the seminar and discussing any relevant experience or familiarity with the seminar topic.
4. One letter of recommendation from a professor with whom you have recently studied.
5. Writing sample of no more than 15 pages.
Registration Fee and Facilities
There is a $400 seminar registration fee for all accepted seminar applicants. This fee covers room and board for the duration of the seminar.
The first section is devoted to examining Aquinas's treatise the De Regno in the light of the questions on virtue and law in the Summa Theologiae and to a consideration of what is dated and what is perennial in the De Regno's theory of governance. The second section focuses on Eric Voegelin's proposals for how to think about the naturally obligatory and the-political-in-historical-context, as detailed particularly in his volume Modernity without Restraint. The third section considers Leo Strauss's Natural Right and History, one of the most prominent attempts to revive a concept of justice or right based in nature. It does this through a sustained assault on historicism, that is, the idea that moral norms and human nature can change over time or be revealed in greater depth to those living at a later stage in history. Right is to be found in nature, not in history. Yet Strauss was not turning to natural law, which he saw as a problematic offshoot of classic natural right. This seminar will read Natural Right and History with special attention to Strauss' criticisms of natural law in history. Finally, the fourth section will be an examination of the thought of Christopher Dawson, in particular his philosophy of history.
Faculty
Thomas D. D'Andrea, University of Cambridge
Steven Justice, University of California - Berkeley
Geoffrey Vaughan, Assumption College
Seminar Participants
This seminar is open to advanced undergraduate and graduate students with interests in natural law and in moral and political philosophy.
Application Requirements
Please submit the following forms and documents via email to Octavia Ratiu by March 30, 2012:
1. Completed application form
2. Curriculum vitae or resume
3. Cover letter expressing the reasons for your interest in the seminar and discussing any relevant experience or familiarity with the seminar topic.
4. One letter of recommendation from a professor with whom you have recently studied.
5. Writing sample of no more than 15 pages.
Registration Fee and Facilities
There is a $400 seminar registration fee for all accepted seminar applicants. This fee covers room and board for the duration of the seminar.
